Elite Event: A Generous Pour at The Capital Grille

This was my first «Elite Event»!
I had a great time. It was very nice to meet some of the local Unilocal community.
Damien did an outstanding job arranging this.
The food and drinks were obviously great!
And it was very nice meeting the Managing Partner.
The only slight nitpicking that i could do, would be that i sort of expected to learn a little bit more about the restaurant, and the food, ie cuts of mean ect.
(Perhaps this is my fault, as i could have engaged myself by asking more questions to the waitstaff that we had around.)
All in all it was great time.
I can’t wait to attend some more!

A robust, bold, velvety set of 5 reds is what this event deserves.
Not only for the notable food (you had me at tartar).
Not only for the generous pours and sommelier’s encyclopedic knowledge (I wish I knew what that best red ever was!).
Not only for the ever-​entertaining juggling of both at the same time.
But for the elites. This was about the social aspect, the meeting of like-​minds and like-​appetites, and about all the elites rockin’ it with welcoming arms. In short, awesome!
Thanks, Unilocal

Definitely a very nice event and likely my favorite, for the terrific food there. The cheese and veggies were fantastic. I liked the lobster sliders and wild mushroom bisque. Both were rich so I couldn’t do more than one of each. I liked the contrasts in desserts: the chocolate torte squares were rich, while the crème brûlée was much lighter. Regardless, both were very good. I had never had steak tartare and I doubt if I ever have it again will it be as good as this one.
I didn’t get to go into the wines much but there were a lot of good ones. The service was fantastic and the scene was very energetic. The only thing I was kinda disappointed was, other than the steak tartare, there wasn’t anything else that showcased The Capital Grille’s claim to fame: steaks. Plus it would’ve been more of an educational experience if the restaurant showed how they dry-​age their steaks and other things they do to make beef yummy.
It was nice seeing Damien’s mom there. Gotta be proud that her kid did another impeccable event for this organization.

This was most definitely a Generous Pour event, as I was immediately greeted by name (gee, those name tags are helpful!) and handed a generous flute of rose just as I passed by the Damien welcome wagon.
Other positives —
* Being recognized by the Unilocal intern after she’s seen me briefly just once about 3 months ago (Hi Sue H.!)
* My first bite — the Lobster/​Crab cakes sliders — mmmmm!
* creamy chocolate mousse cubes
* light and luscious mini tea cups of crème brûlée
* sweet delicious dessert wine
(yes, notice the focus on the sweet end of the room… that’s just the way I swing)
* service was terrific as our empty plates/​glasses/​rumpled napkins were whisked away and fresh options offered in turn
* sure I didn’t win, but the lottery for the free meal for 2 was still cool
I had fun meeting a few fellow Unilocalers — odd being recognized as the one who posts tons of pictures, but yeah, that’s me — as having no plus one to hide behind gave me reason and opportunity to briefly step past my shyness.
ps — the truffles in the gift bag were yum!
Muchas Gracias!

Another wonderful night spent meeting new friends, with a glass of wine in one hand and a plate of delicious hors d’oeuvres in the other. This is happiness.
This was my first time at The Capital Grille, and I knew I’d like this spot from the get go, since I am obsessed with lion statues (esp the ones at the Met in NYC!). Anyway, onto the important stuff…
1. Top-​notch hospitality — friendly and attentive staff, old-​school charm and a warm ambiance.
2. Great set-​up with the wine-​tasting — having perfect portions so we could sample…6? 7? wines while still remaining classy.
3. I didn’t try too many hors d’oeuvres, since I was still very full from lunch, but everyone raved about the Lobster sliders.
4. The Classic Crème Brulee in mini tea cups and bite-​size squares of Flourless Chocolate Espresso Cake were my favorite! I now regret limiting myself to one each :(.

What a great event! Totally earned every single star.
The Capital Grille went all out providing plenty of tasty treats including delectable lobster & crab sliders, crème brûlée, and a cheese table to die for.
The highlight of the evening were the wines. The Capital Grille is smack dab in the middle of The Generous Pour event which for $ 25 lets you sample 9 different wines. A great steal for some really lovely wines. I can say without hesitation that the bordeauxs were top notch.
I loved that this event was Elite only. It was great to meet more of the group and not accidentally fall into the ol’ chat with my +1 game. Top notch event with some top notch people!

I’m so sad I missed nearly half of this event! Luckily the food and wine was appropriately generous for a Generous Pour event, so my tardiness didn’t make me miss out on too much.
The various wines were delicious, the staff was so attentive and helpful (I was even escorted to the restroom!), and the food was fresh and plentiful. Can one live off of steak tartare and flourless chocolate bites?
It was my first time at Capital Grille and I was so impressed. Lots of thanks to the staff there and of course to Damien and the Unilocal crew for putting on another fantastic event.

Another great Elite event!
Came with a few super cool Elites. Amanda A., Kelly M. and Louis C.
We walked in a little parched from the summer night and was greeted with a glass of delicious Rosé. How fancy!
Capital Grille set-​up a delicious spread of cheeses, crackers, roasted vegetables. The other side of they set up decadent brownies and mini crème brûlées.
My favorite of the night were those lobster and crab sliders. I would come to the Capital Grille just for that. We washed all this yummy food down with plenty of wine!
That’s what this was all about right? The wine! After tasting all the wines… I still kept coming back to that Rosé. That was my favorite.
Thanks Damian for putting together another awesome event. I’m super jealous of my friend Kelly M. who won the free dinner at Capital Grille. Congrats to her!

Damn you Capital Grille! I have now lost the only solid Unilocal «Never Have I Ever»: Never Have I Ever reviewed an Elite Event. But after days of bragging about the amazing time I had on Sunday, I will crawl out of the dark days of no reviews and tip my hat where it is due.
First and foremost is to the staff of Capital Grille. We were encouraged to never have empty glasses or hands. The entire room was teeming with friendly faces that ensured this never happened. I was educated about the wine I was drinking, teased about the tartare I wad drooling over, and never felt there was a moment we were not taken care of. Seriously, I don’t know how they pulled this off.
Second is to Damien. Seriously dude, you out did yourself and you looked good doing it. But obviously knew it because you brought your mom. How cute is that?!
From the moment we were greeted with glasses of champagne, I was in love. There was a room full of scrubbed up Elites (did everyone see how good Johnna looked? she looked GOOD), wine eagerly waiting to meet my glass, and more food than we could have imagined. We could even see a room of goody bags in the back! There was no doubting the event would be good, but all expectations were absolutely blown away.
I ate more beef tartare than one should be allowed (that stuff was insanely amazing), snacked on lobster and crab sliders, and sampled smoked chicken before even making it to the cheese table. That cheese table was what my dreams were made of and I half contemplated awkwardly ending this review now to go dream about it. I stuck mostly to red wine but actually learned why I liked each one. The knowledge base of the staff without being promotional about their event absolutely blew me away. There was a confidence that the service, wine, and food would speak for itself.
As always, the company was amazing. Everyone mingled around and looked good doing it (especially Johnna). My final thank you of the night will go to everyone in attendance: thank you for making it worth coming home from vacation early. There were no regrets for leaving the beach to see you all!
TimeToGoDreamAboutCheese

Steak tartare, a huge cheese spread, mini crème brulees, lobster and crab cake sliders, and wine everywhere. That’s all the makings of a great Elite Event.
I echo what a couple of other people said about the lack of steak, but I enjoyed the food and drink that was offered, so I quickly forgot about it.
The Capital Grille’s staff was friendly and fantastic. They weaved their way among us with platters of food and smiles to go with it. As soon as I finished with a plate or a glass, there was someone there to take it from me. The space was a bit cramped though, so I can see why no +1’s were invited.
One of the highlights of the night for me — I finally got to meet Damien! WOOHOO!!!

Another FIVE star event from Unilocal Boston (Thank you Damien & Co).
I’m not generally a steakhouse kind o’ gal, but I did thoroughly enjoy myself at the event. The highlights of the evening were the impeccable service from the Capital Grille staff and the ridiculously tasty wines that we were allowed the sample. Along with those two, there were some other notables:
*The cheese table was top notch. I really enjoyed the marinated veggies which included some monster sized artichokes and an impressive array of peppers and sun dried tomatoes. The selection of cheeses was right up my alley as well, as I am a sucker for blue cheese!
*The mushroom bisque was really smooth & velvety.
*The dessert table was impressive. I waited as long as I could to make it over there, otherwise it could have gotten really ugly. The dessert wine was a wonderful cap to the evening.
*The wine selection was impressive. My personal favorite was the Sangiovese. I found it to be really smooth going down (I sound like a legit sommelier, don’t I?). Sampling good wine makes me wish I knew more about it.
*Last and certainly not least, THE FELLOW UnilocalERS. I met some really interesting people at the event and participated in some fun and lighthearted conversation. Though my +1 missed out, it was a refreshing change from some of the other events I have attended. Thanks to those that I chatted with throughout the evening for adding to the experience. And what’s not to love about a cameo from Damien’s mom.

This was pretty kickass. I originally thought what the hell is a vegetarian gonna do at a steakhouse? Well thank goodness I went. I would go just to see fellow Unilocalers anyway but the veggie food that was provided was truly amazing. No really, as silly as it sounds, there are ways to screw up veggie food. They did it just right & were totally on us to make sure we were treated well & not left out of the tasty treats being served.
Pretty damn cool to have Damien’s mom there even if I didn’t get to chat w/​her.

And here I thought Sunday night was a good time to clean out my DVR…
Unilocal Elites took over The Capital Grille last night, raising the bar for Sunday evening entertainment to astronomical levels. The wine was delicious and came with just-​brief-​enough info so that you learned a bit without anyone getting in the way of you drinking. The food was delicious — I tried lobster for the first time!!!
I have to admit — I was expecting more steak, since that was the claim on the invite, but the fact that they had:
— tons of veggie options for my vegetarian/​vegan friends, including more that they brought out when we asked
— a cheese and fruit table fit for royalty
— barrels of wine
— the best truffles I’ve ever had in my life
… more than made up for the lack of a hunk of steak.
I also loved Damien forcing people to socialize — the small space made it necessary, and it was a good chance to finally meet people who I’d been hovering around for years.
Next step: I propose that Unilocal gets a private locker up front so we can make sure the booze never runs out. Who’s in?

I love wine as much as the next Elite, but dang, maybe it was a little *too* Generous of a Pour? Today is the day I’m learning what a hangover at work feels like.
I loved that this was Elites Only! I met so many people and also caught up with many familiar extra-​prettified faces.
Something about drinking with Unilocal Elites, I never get drunk unless I’m around them. Instead of Alcoholics Anonymous, we’re Up-​Close and Personal Partiers. It helped that we had an amazing wine line-​up. I didn’t even get to all of them but the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon was tiptop.
As for the location, The Capital Grille was a fantastic spot. Dimmer lighting, incredibly friendly and knowledgeable staff, and amazing food (not just by taste, presentation also gets an A+). And there was vegan and vegetarian stuff provided– the mushrooms were probably my favorite foodstuffs of the night.
Fantastic night with fantastic people. Stay classy Boston Elites!

Ima be brief with this one.
I love wine. I love lobster sliders. I love having people hand me wine and lobster sliders because I can’t really stand. Anything else?
Damien.
Capital Grille
Watches
Tatsu
I don’t know, I think the painkillers are writing this one.

Damien, you’ve outdone yourself yet again!
In addition to meeting some awesome fellow Elites, the food and service were fantastic through and through. Steak tartare on crostini/brioche/(insert bread or cracker here), lobster sliders and mushroom bisque circulated amongst us constantly while the cheese and dessert tables were stocked full of deliciousness including some amazingly dense flourless chocolate espressso cake.
The servers were on point the entire time and picked up empty glasses and plates before you even realized they were empty. It was indeed interesting that steak of all things wasn’t on the menu, but you know what? Minor detail when so much else was offered… along with 9 wines.
Suffice it to say, we took Sunday night entertainment to the next level =D

What an unbelievably fantastic event! If I could choose just one word to describe it, it would be «classy.» Some of the highlights included:
–Really delicious food. The beef tartare was amazing. I ate far too much of it. The other taste standout was the red peppers and sundried tomatoes on the cheese table – I think they were pickled in unicorn tears or something equally magical.
–Really delicious wine. The nine wines available for tasting were each excellent, although my favorites were the Villa Mt. Eden Grand Reserve pinot noir and the Ferrari-​Carano Mountain Reserve cabernet sauvignon. I especially appreciated that the people pouring the wine were able to describe it as we tasted.
–Really exceptional service. The staff at the Capital Grille were amazing. Not only were they always nearby with food, wine, or a tray to clear away my empty dish, but they were also knowledgeable and friendly.
This event elevated my respect for the Capital Grille, which I might not have considered before for a fancy dinner. Having tasted the wonderful food and experienced the first-​class service, this is now definitely a destination for a celebration dinner. The Generous Pour event this summer is also a great deal, so if you enjoy drinking wine I would recommend checking it out.
Thank you as always to Damien and the Unilocal team for putting together the event!

MY «TOP 5» FAVES of «A Generous Pour» at The Capital Grille:
1. THE SUPERIOR SERVICE. The sommelier was patient & polite (lacking in fake accents and snooty vibes)…a 5 STAR STAFF all the way. BONUS: Got to meet Christopher Scott, the Managing Partner, who was a memorably gracious host.
2. A GENEROUS POUR. What a truly FAAABulous idea: with any meal, you can try ¼ glass of 9 high end wines for 1 low end price, $ 25. (I usually do that anyway, but just drink a whole glass.)
3. THE 5 STAR FOOD. Lobster Sliders (Start anything with «Lobster,» and count me «in»)…Steak Tartar (I’m not a fan of this item, but am told it was exceptional, as far as raw meat goes. How does one mess that up?)…Fine Cheese & Fruit Table… Crème Brule with a ruddy raspberry! ( Unilocalers laughed at me eating these… weren’t they *supposed* to be done like shots?)…MY FAVE: Flourless Chocolate Espresso Cake (If I had one of these every night… I would never regret it in the morning… like so many of my dates… Are they still «Dates» if you didn’t go out with them before you slept with them?)
4. MAD UnilocalERS! I met more than ever before… without my Plus One baggage holding me back (Isn’t that what they meant when they said «Hold me back! Hold me back?»)
5. GAGA FOR GOODIE BAGS. Mine hid two tasty truffles and all the info I needed to write this rave review about the Capital Grill. (consider of them, since their superior service and generous pours left my memory a bit blotchy.) Other Unilocalers received Unilocal Watches, but, I assume, mine was removed from my bag in advance, so as not to make me feel badly that I never learned to tell time. (leading to many bar closings… with me still in the bar.)
I’ve been to The Capitol Grille before, and, (be afraid)…I’LL BE BACK!

Such a good event!
The space was classy and wonderful, the staff exceptional, and the food and drink were amazing.
The wine selection was really great. The dessert table even had a dedicated wine. The vegetarian items were fantastic– there was definitely extra effort put in for us veggies. The omnivores were jealous!
As always, being around my fellow Unilocalers was probably the best part. Thanks, Damien!

Can I just ask the first question that should be on everyone’s mind?
WHY ON EARTH ISN’T MOMMA DAMIEN AT MORE OF THESE EVENTS?! She’s like the badass mom your best friend always had, who you wished would adopt you and go sky diving with you for your 16^th birthday, while also making the most incredible blueberry pancakes this side of wonderful.
That aside, this was yet another spectacular event put on by the Unilocal team, filled with the most delicious crème brûlée in the tiniest Alice in Wonderland-​cute cups. That alone is what made it for me. Then again, I am a simple being.
It was actually refreshing minus the +1’s for a change — everyone got to mingle with new and old Elites without worrying their +1 wouldn’t necessarily jive with said crowd. It’s amazing what forced interaction produces:).
There was a lot of THIS (albeit less fake Shakespearean and dramatic):
«What, you say? You’ve been an Elite for 5 years and I’ve never met you? I shall now extend my hand and befriend you here on. By the way, you have a cool moustache/​dress/​set of crutches/​gangster Mr. T gold chain.»
Being The Capital Grille, you don’t expect anything less than superb food and pure decadence. Tables of «Orange Wine», champagne, and beautifully prepared hors dourves and desserts, paired with Elites decked out in their best, made for a modern day Gatsby kind of night. I mean, while most other people were at home preparing for Monday (non)funday at work, watching old reruns of Buffy, we were sipping and sampling the best of the best. I’d say we won the golden ticket for a Sunday night.
I do apologize to the staff for turning their lovely patterned carpet into a Steak Tartare Impressionist Painting. Trying to eat ladylike while double fisting wine/​champagne/​dessert plate = disaster. I promise I’ll work on that ladylike thing. But I don’t promise to stop double fisting the champagne and wine. It’s just so right.